Teach Skip Counting

I'm a homeschooling mom and I used these methods to teach skip counting to my boys. We used chants, number lines, and games to learn to count by 2, 5 and 10 quite quickly. The instructions are easy to follow and can be used to teach any student to skip count at a very young age. There are also some links below for free printable worksheets that you can use to teach your own kids or students.

Chants to Skip Count

Teach your child the following chant: "2, 4, 6, no tricks!" This will only take a minute. Kids generally enjoy this chant. You can clap with each number and word if you wish. Later that day, ask the child to say the chant along with you. When the child has the chant memorized and says it without you, move on to the next chant.

"2, 4, 6, 8, counting two is great!"

Teach your child the following chant: "2, 4, 6, 8, 10, let's do it over again!" When the child has this chant memorized, have them point to each number on a number line as they say it. This allows the child to visualize that they are skip every other number. Here is a free, printable number line if you need to print one: Number Line

You can choose the black and white number line and have the child color the numbers 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 yellow to clearly identify the even numbers as a visual cue. We did this in the photo here with a highlighter on a laminated number line.

Count by 2s Reinforcement

Now that the child knows how to count by 2, you can play the "Jumping Jacks" game to reinforce it. You will need a game board. Here is a free, printable one if you need it: Game Board. Take turns rolling a die. If it lands on an even number (2, 4, or 6) move ahead one space. If it lands on an odd number (1, 3, or 5) lose a turn. The first person to the end of the board wins.

Note: If a child is struggling to remember odd and even numbers, keep the number line used above handy with the even numbers colored yellow. With the even numbers highlighted, the child can easily see which numbers allow them to move. Have the children call out, "odd" or "even" after each roll.

If you make board games for teaching, like the one above, these supplies from Amazon.com will come in handy. I use them in our homeschool daily.

Practice counting by 2 in daily living situations. Pull out objects from around your home and use them to help kids practice. Some good ideas for objects are:

1. Pairs of socks, shoes, mittens, or anything else that comes in sets of 2.

2. Keep track of your basketball score by 2 for each basket.

Kids can also practice with these worksheets:

• Count by 2 and write the numbers on the line. As you write the running tally, kids get a visual representation of counting by 2.

  Count Items by Two
  
  

• Older students that have mastered counting by two up to sixty, can fill in this missing numbers caterpillar.

  Count Items by Two
  
  

Here are a few lesson ideas that can be done with simple household items:

- Bundle sets of objects by 10. You can use craft sticks, straws, pencils, anything that you have many of lying around. Secure each bundle with a rubber band.

When you present them to the student, remove the rubber band from the first set and count them so that the student may see there are 10 in each bundle. Model counting by 10 for the student, counting up to 50.

- Have a hundreds chart available with the 10s at the end of each row highlighted. The student can refer to the hundreds chart if he gets stuck.

Activities for applying to daily living include:

Counting dimes

Counting $10.00 bills

The following worksheets will also help kids practice their new skill of counting by 10s:

• 
  Each of these sets has 10. You may want to help the child understand this by instructing them to count the items in the first set. Next count each of the identical sets as 10 and write the total in the box at the end of the row.

  Skip Count by 10 Worksheet
  
  

Use chants to help kids memorize skip counting by five. Also, pull out household items and use what you've taught to help kids count nickels, five dollar bills, tell time and count sets of five objects fast.

Counting nickels

Counting $5.00 bills

Counting minutes around the outside of a clock

Counting fingers on each hand

Counting toes on each foot

There are several videos below to help your student. You can select a new one via the thumbnails below the main video.

• 
  Fill in the missing numbers on the worksheet as you skip count by 5. This is a good printable that has a lot of blank spaces, so children can recall the numbers in order and reinforce their skills.

  Count by 5 Worksheet
  
  

I you have questions or comments about this page, you can leave them here. I enjoy reading you feedback. Also if you have some ideas of your own for teaching this concept, be sure to leave a note. I'd love to hear about what works in your homeschool.